Children’s Hospital Lets Kids Play Doctor With Stuffed Animals

Last month, about 90 kids brought their favorite stuffed animals to Children’s National Medical Center for an event called Dr. Bear’s Medical School for Kids. They toured an ambulance, read x-rays, put casts on broken bones, and played with therapy dogs from the Greenbelt Dog Center. The Grateful Family Program at Children’s organized the event. All photographs are by Carly Glazier.

A young future doctor and her stuffed bear prepare for class.

A staff member from the Sheikh Zayed Institute for Pediatric Surgical Innovation at Children’s National Health System assists a young doctor during laparoscopic surgery.

Hannah, age 4, plays with Koda the Bouvier, a therapy dog from Greenbelt Dog Center.

Dr. Bear shows a young future doctor how to use a stethoscope.

Dr. David Wessel, Chief Medical Officer of Hospital and Specialty Services, teaches his son Julian how to take vitals in the simulation lab.

Young dentists practice their skills at the oral health station.

Class of 2015 graduates show off their hard-earned diplomas.

Gemma, age 4, examines x-rays with an orthopaedics staff member.

Children practiced performing a laparoscopic surgery.